NCL Escape - February 2024

It's been 4 years (March 2020) since Shawn's last vacation. Even though we had travelled extensively before 2020, Shawn's physical and cognitive abilities have changed since so I wasn't sure what to expect. We chose to take a cruise and a ship we were familiar with so as not to have any surprises or hassles. There will always be hassles with accessible travel but I was mostly concerned with his physical abilities to handle the trip.

Since our last vacation, Shawn has gone from a pivot transfer to a full hoyer lift transfer. I rented a Hoyer lift from a company called Scootaround. They are the only medical equipment rental company that is authorized on Norwegian cruise ships. This company does not rent shower commode chairs which is unfortunate for those needing them on NCL cruises. We do have our own shower commode chair that we travel with. It just would have been a lot easier to rent one.

I am not going to go into detail about the accessibility of the cruise ship itself since I have done this in previous blogs. This was our 3 time on the NCL Escape. I will mainly focus on the rose and thorn of the trip. Airplane travel has always been the worst part of the trip for Shawn. He has an incredible amount of anxiety about getting on the plane and getting off. We have tried to make the experience as easy as possible for him but it's just a lot required of him physically, even more so now.

As usual, we show up at the airport at least 3 hours ahead of time because Shawn is not provided a boarding pass until we get to the airport. They require all the dimensions of his wheelchair, there is a form off the Air Canada website and I have always brought it. I have it laminated and always attach it to his chair.

This was the first time that I was able to take a video recording of the entire process. There are always so many things going on when we board the plane that I just have forgotten in the past. Everyone travelling with us has been through the process with us many times so they knew the routine. Shawn is always boarded first. Before boarding, we remove the joystick from his chair and manually push him to the aircraft door. Once we are there we transfer him into an aisle chair. These are very narrow chairs and he struggles on them. Once he is in the aisle chair I take his seat cushion and fold the backrest down. From there the chair is taken to loading and stored with the rest of the cargo. Years ago we found a used power chair for a great deal and that is what we have used all these years. The chairs are handled very roughly and we have had to place multiple claims over the years. I didn't take into account that it has been 4 years since Shawn travelled in this chair. The chair style he used then is not the one he uses now. He's now in a full-tilt power chair and the seating has all changed. It was after this last trip that we realized we couldn't take the risk of flying with his new chair. Not to mention that it's a very heavy chair and probably would be above a lot of weight restrictions for certain planes and accessible transportation. Any cruise we take going forward would have to be from a port that we can drive to. Just the reality of life now.

wheelchair ready for cargo storage

Stateroom - Inside Accessible Stateroom.

This was our first time staying in an Inside Stateroom . We won't ever book this type of stateroom again. It was way too crowded with all the equipment we have to travel with now.

Inside Accessible Stateroom

Cozumel

This was the only port where we did an excursion. Since we had seen so many of the islands from previous cruises, we didn't feel the need to get off the ship. It's the best time to utilize the pool area since on sea days we didn't even bother navigating with Shawn's chair.

We have used a company called This Is Cozumel many times before for our Private Bar Hop. We make sure to let them know we need the high roof van because the other van is low and Shawn couldn't duck to avoid the roof getting in.

The bars we stopped off are accessible in the entryway only, the bathrooms are NOT wheelchair accessible.

Bars Visted: Money Bar, Rastas and El Pescador

This is always the highlight of our cruises when we are in Cozumel.

Overall, Cruises can be an excellent vacation option for wheelchair users for several reasons:

• Accessibility: Many modern cruise ships are designed with accessibility in mind, offering features such as wheelchair-accessible cabins, public spaces, and amenities. These ships typically have wide corridors, automatic doors, and accessible elevators to accommodate wheelchair users.

• Multiple Destinations: Cruises offer the opportunity to visit multiple destinations in one trip without the need for extensive travel between locations. This can be particularly convenient for wheelchair users, as it reduces the need for navigating unfamiliar airports and transportation systems.

• Onboard Amenities: Cruise ships often provide a wide range of onboard amenities and activities, including restaurants, theatres, swimming pools, spas, and fitness centers. Many of these amenities are designed to be accessible to wheelchair users, allowing them to fully participate in onboard activities and entertainment.

• Accessible Shore Excursions: Cruise lines typically offer a variety of shore excursions at each port of call, including accessible options specifically designed for wheelchair users. These excursions may involve visiting accessible attractions, exploring scenic areas with wheelchair-friendly paths, or participating in wheelchair-accessible tours.

• Assistance Services: Cruise lines typically provide assistance services for passengers with disabilities, including wheelchair assistance during embarkation and disembarkation, as well as onboard assistance from trained staff members. Additionally, cruise lines may offer specialized equipment rental services, such as mobility scooters or beach wheelchairs, to enhance accessibility during shore excursions.

• Safety and Security: Cruise ships prioritize the safety and security of all passengers, including those with disabilities. Ships are equipped with accessible emergency procedures, evacuation plans, and accessible lifeboat accommodations to ensure the safety of all passengers in the event of an emergency.

• Community and Support: Cruises offer the opportunity to connect with other travellers and form friendships with fellow passengers, including those with similar experiences as wheelchair users. Many cruise lines also offer support groups or social events specifically for passengers with disabilities, providing a sense of community and camaraderie during the voyage.

Overall, cruises can provide a convenient, accessible, and enjoyable vacation experience for wheelchair users, allowing them to explore new destinations, relax onboard luxurious ships, and create lasting memories with friends and family.